CHIREDZI – The Environmental Management Agency (Ema) has slapped Chiredzi Town Council with a US$10 000 ticket over its failure to manage large mounds of garbage that are now common at all market places especially in the light industrial area popularly known as 'Kumagarage'.
Various stakeholders visited the vegetable market this week to assess the garbage situation which is getting no better despite many complaints being made.
Council housing department officials failed to show up at the meeting, with town secretary Charles Muchatukwa saying he did not turn up because he expected the issue to be handled by the District Administrator (DA) Lovemore Chisema.
"It was being handled by the District Administrator so I thought everything was under control," said Muchatukwa.
Ema district officer, Peter Mugodhi slammed council for making no effort to improve environmental hygiene in the area.
"The place needs bins and is very smelly. Toilets are very close to the market and with no toilet dip, there is a health hazard for many people," said Mugodhi
Councillor Obert Ngwenya of Ward 2 also attacked council for failing to improve service delivery.
"There is so much incompetence in council so I urge residents to stand up and demand accountability," said Ngwenya.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHRRA) chairperson Jonathan Mupamombe threatened to organise peaceful demonstrations against deteriorating service delivery.
"I am applying for a right for residents to hold peaceful demonstrations against council. It is yet again the ratepayer who will be made to settle that ticket and we are not at all pleased," said Mupamombe.local